The Whanganui District Health Board has today reconfirmed that the home based community palliative care services will remain in Taihape and that Arohanui Hospice will continue to provide specialist palliative care services, including inpatient services.

Whanganui DHB chief executive Julie Patterson said the district health board is committed to retaining all primary and community based health services currently provided in Taihape, including community palliative care services.

“We have had discussions this week with the Whanganui Regional Primary Health Organisation (WRPHO) around the provision of community palliative care, with a very positive response” said Mrs Patterson.

Community palliative care provides care for patients with an end-stage illness in their own home. The GP and palliative care nurses improve a patient’s quality of life by alleviating pain and discomfort, and they also provide support for the bereaved family/whanau.

“Arohanui Hospice will continue to provide specialist palliative care services, at their facility in Palmerston North, to patients from Taihape, Bulls and Marton, as they have been for many years now” said Mrs Patterson.

“We do not believe the closure of Raunui Home will have any implications on Arohanui Hospice and have met with Arohanui Hospice this week to confirm current arrangements are ongoing.”

Mrs Patterson said she aware that the GP beds were sometimes used by a small number of people needing convalescence and palliative care services, however, the usage was very low and most Taihape palliative care patients use Arohanui Hospice or community palliative care services.

The palliative care options available to rural communities in the region, including Taihape, are in line with the New Zealand Palliative Care Strategy.